300 attend opening of fourth annual Art Exposed exhibition

NEWS — More than 300 people attended the opening reception for the Kamloops Arts Council’s fourth annual Art Exposed exhibition at the Old Courthouse on Friday.

Art Exposed is a 10-day open community art exhibition featuring work by area artists of all ages and in all mediums. As part of the exhibit, a team of jurors awarded prizes to several of the 155 entered works.

While recognition can be important, prizes aren’t what it’s all about, said Kathy Sinclair, executive director of the Kamloops Arts Council.

“Art Exposed celebrates and brings together the artists in our community, providing them with visibility, support and feedback,” she said.

“For many, this is their first time ever showing their work. It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there. We applaud all of the artists for their creativity and courage.”

Jurors Caroline Dick, Tricia Sellmer and Louis-Marc Simard spent more than nine hours in deliberation. All commented on the quality of all the work, as well as on how difficult it is to judge 155 very diverse pieces.

Photos of the winning works may be seen at the KAC website.

Best in Show ($200): Vikki Ferguson, Western Bluebird Nest in Beetle-Killed Pine (Porcelain)

1st Place, 2D ($100): Judy Mackenzie, Water Symphony – Acrylic

2nd Place, 2D ($75): Petrina Gregson, Day’s End – Oil

3rd Place, 2D ($50): Cathy Killough, Teenaged Crows Don’t Get Acne… But They’ve Got Attitude! – Pastel

1st Place, 3D ($100): Joe Ratushniak, Fiddlehead – Wood

2nd Place, 3D ($75): Tom Bundic, Victoria’s Treasure – Wood

3rd Place, 3D (tie, $50): Laura Bittante, Sit! – Mixed Media

3rd Place, 3D (tie, $50): Phil Ryan, Hand Solo – Mixed Media

Honourable Mentions:

Marianna Abutalipova, Flowers Explosion – Acrylic

Olga Burr, Summer at the Lake – Acrylic

Ron Chertkow, The Barn – Acrylic

Elena Compton, Eyes on You – Pencil

Dennis Cound, Boston Bar Bruin – Black Bear Skull, Elk Antler, Maple

Annette Dominik, Inside the Green Cupboard – Acrylic/Canvas/Mixed Media

Ben Eastabrook, Altar of Uhsawl, Graffiti Deity, Patron to the Underworld – Mixed Media

Robin Hodgson, The Year 3013 – Acrylic, Collage, Spray Paint

Patricia House, Rooster Run – Acrylic

Janice Jarvis, Liquid – Pastel

Glen Mantie, Conquistador – Clay/Acrylic

Alicia McClain, White-out – Acrylic

Bonnie McLean, Early 20th Century Headdress – Beads/Wire/Fabric

Darryl Nelson, South Thompson River Valley – Watercolour

Debbie O’Donnell, Untitled – Oil

R. Doug Smith, Evening Glow – Acrylic

Carolyn Tytor, NIMBY – Photography

Sheryl VanDusen, Kitchen Kats – Watercolour

Nancy Van Wagoner, The Eocene Prophecies With Field Guide – Clay

People’s Choice & Artist’s Choice Awards will be announced at the end of the exhibit, Feb. 23.

Art Exposed continues at the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre, 7 Seymour St. W, to Feb. 23 and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is by donation.

The public can vote for their favourite work of art, and will be automatically entered to win one of three original works of art donated by Thor Fridriksson, Wendy Patrick and Marlene Wildeman.